Despite your very best intentions, you still find yourself scrabbling through that ‘birthday box’ you keep under the bed, desperately searching for a scrap of wrapping paper and a blank card. Well this year, how about you say no to half-hearted gestures for your friends and family members’ biggest celebrations and instead get organised.

To help you, we’ve compiled our definitive 2018 guide to the best, prettiest, quirkiest and loveliest birthday cards out there.

We’ve left no gift-giving stone unturned to ensure you have instant access – and clickable links – to some of the cutest cards around. No longer will you feel obliged to head to the big name high street card shop; with all these unique cards at your fingertips, you can bulk buy now to save time and trouble later. Plus, these cards are cool!

We’ve split our guide into handy sections to help you quickly and easily find the card(s) for you. Read on…

Handmade Birthday Cards for Her

If you’re looking for a card for your mum/sister/friend/auntie (delete as appropriate), we’ve got you covered. And while we hate to generalise by assuming all ladies love flowers, hearts and the colour pink, we kind of have here! But you know; you can mix and match these cards – and their corresponding sections – as you please. Hey, your Dad might be partial to a floral card, too – and why on earth wouldn’t he be? Here’s our pick of the best cards out there:

How pretty is this card, above? Featuring a lovely trio of blooms, this Folksy favourite is less than £5 and has been designed by the (very creative) Nikki Meara.

Over at Made with Love Designs, you can choose a gorgeous, personalised card that has your best friend or mum written all over it. With lovely, hand-scrawled-style text and a bold pink ribbon featuring a decorative brooch, this is gorgeously girlie.

We’re sticking with a floral theme over on the Pink and Posh site – and this personalised, handmade card will brighten up anyone’s special day.

These beautifully-designed cards are a gift in themselves. Created using ribbon and cute embellishments, they’re a step up from your average, high street shop-bought greetings card.

Pop of birthday colour? You won’t find anything more multi-coloured than this card-based beauty, as seen on Folksy.com. Designed by Aberdeen-based Vikki Lawrie, this pretty pastel greetings card comes with a rustic, brown envelope – and all for less than £5, too.

The site My Happy Birthday Wishes has pulled together a blog post featuring some beautiful ideas when it comes to making your own cards. We love this one, above, which makes use of a multi-coloured cupcake case and a candle – what a great idea!

Flamingos are very much in vogue at the moment, which is why I think you’ll love this quirky card on the Decorque site. Left blank for your own message, the card features exotic birds, which I’ve patterned with a pink floral chintz.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Mum

Is your Mum’s birthday on the horizon? If yes, you’ll definitely want to check out some of these pretty cards we’ve hand-selected from the Internet. From traditional cards to something a little bit different, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in our guide.

Show your mum how much you love her next Mother’s Day with this daintily-designed card from the talented folks over at Lotus Art Studio.

Monochrome is the theme of this stylish birthday card for your mum, from Purple Mountain Designs. With a contemporary floral and butterfly print, this card can even be framed or popped on a cork board to add interest to a lounge, spare room or bedroom.

Here’s a great card for those you want to let their Mum (or Mother-in-law) know just how much she means to them.

If your Mum is not just your mother, but your child’s babysitter, your agony aunt and your personal cleaner, this card via Bespoke Verse is definitely the one for you. Or you know, your Mum!

Number one Mum? Let her know with this fancy schmancy-looking certificate in card form. It’s from Made with Love Designs and it’s ideal for Mums with a touch of class about them. So everyone’s Mum, then.

We never disappoint here at Decorque when it comes to lovely-looking cards for Mums. This blue floral one is no exception; it’s been lovingly-designed by me on embossed card and features a striking blue carnation in the middle – just gorgeous, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Grandma

“Grandma, we love you. Grandma we do.” Name that tune! Actually, the clue’s in the name. Pick out a card perfect for your Nanna with our selection of the very best handmade cards for grandma. Take a look…

Etsy is a real wonder of the Internet, thanks to the many arts and crafts you’ll find on the site. You’ll love this grandma handmade card, which features a bold, colourful font and a really nice message on the front, too.

Papyrus Online has some lovely cards, like this carnation printed one. We just had to share this one with you; it’s super pretty, with a flower that looks almost 3D.

Is your grandma the best? Don’t forget to tell her! Not on the High Street saves the day, thanks to this simple yet stunning card via Chapel Cards.

At just £1.45, this beautiful handmade card – on a white background with soft turquoise ombre tones has opaque layers of blossom and branches. A lovely handmade card for a Nanna (or even a sister, auntie or friend), it’s also ideal for any occasion.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Aunt

Does your Auntie mean a lot to you? Make sure you don’t forget to let her know. And thanks to this cute and quirky selection of handmade birthday cards for Aunt, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Susie is the name of the designer who created this fun card (above), which features a picture of a dog and his owner. If you’re stuck for ideas when it comes to what kind of card to pick, those that have a fuzzy little dog or cat on are usually a winner!

With a bold font and psychedelic floral print, this handmade card has your cool, young auntie written all over it.

Want something that bit more special? Just the Right Gift offers handmade cards that can come with personalisation, too. We’re huge fans of this one, above.

Simple and striking, this white and purple handmade card has a purple-loving auntie written all over it. And you can’t help but smile at that cute slogan, too.

Glitter? Check! Embellishments? Check! This card is ‘totally’ worth the money. Head over to Tilt Art to get yours!

Well, would you look at this beauty of a handmade card! It’s over on Folksy via Stephanie Short Stationery’s page. And at just £1.95, it’s not a bad price for a hand-finished piece of greetings card art like this.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Sister

You’ve grown up with your sister, so it’s true that few people will know each other better than you do. Show her just how well you know her by choosing the right handmade card for her ahead of her next birthday. To help you, we’ve picked out a few:

This Etsy card, available at VeraLaLune’s shop reminds us of the hundreds and thousands you get on a birthday cake – yum! It really does look good enough to eat, doesn’t it?!

There’s no mistaking that this is a bold card! If your sister likes a statement when it comes to greetings cards, she’ll love this miniature piece of art via Folksy. Once you’ve given it to her, there’s absolutely no reason why she can’t frame it for her bedroom wall.

Fabulous sister? What she needs is a retro, Marilyn Monroe-inspire card from the equally retro Five Dollar Shake.

If you’re always chuckling about a treasured old photo of the two of you, why not add it to your sister’s next birthday card? Jenny Arnott has it covered with this beauty of a card, over on Not on the High Street.

Nothing says ‘Happy Birthday Sister’ than a load of colourful balloons. We like this one, which has been hand-painted for the ultimate in card-based art.

Offering a pretty pop of colour almost as soon as your sister opens the envelope, this vibrant card has been lovingly designed by Lesley R Stevens.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Girlfriend

From the quirky to the very, very cute, we’ve rounded up some of the Internet’s coolest cards for your girlfriend’s birthday.

A fun card direct from the V&A’s online shop, it shares a love of animals and insects. And with a fun phrase on the front, we bet it’ll be right up your other half’s street.

If it’s your anniversary, make sure you don’t forget it! Get organised and hit ‘purchase’ on this handmade card from Clear Creations.

Flamingos again! But with good reason; they’re just so popular! We love the dainty little legs attached to these birds, who are on standby to fly in and wish your girlfriend a special day. Not literally, you understand.

Fancy making your own card for your girlfriend? Top Inspired has put together a piece containing the 10 best DIY birthday cards to make for your other half. How cute are these button people, above?

Handmade Birthday Cards for Wife

Put a note in your diary to remember your wife’s birthday – you’ll be glad you did. To save you the time looking for a handmade card for your wife, we’ve found some of the loveliest ones online. Read on…Flowers and cake are always a winner – in real life and on cards. Take a look!

Etsy never disappoints when it comes to unique cards – and this one is no different. Travel mad couples will love this geographical-themed card, which features a lovely little slogan, too.

Now, here’s one for the soppy, lovey dovey couples. That you? Hotfoot it over to eBay – your new favourite place for handmade cards for your girlfriend.

Pink to make the girls wink! This heart and butterfly handcrafted card I created at Decorque is simply stunning; don’t you agree?

Handmade Birthday Cards for Fiancé

Want to let your soon-to-be husband know how happy you are that the pair of you are going to get married? Take a look at some of the greetings cards we’ve discovered online…

This card, available via eBay, can be personalised with your fiancé’s name – and the date of your upcoming wedding. A nice touch, don’t you think?

A bit of humour never fails to put a smile on someone’s face – and we bet your fiancé will love this Etsy winner.

This card (above) might be simple in design but it gets the message across! It’s another reason to check out some of the great designing talent over on Not on the High Street, we say.

A bold, butterfly printed card with an equally vibrant red background, this card – available from the Decorque site – is bound to be flutteringly good idea.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Sister-in-Law

She might not be your biological sister, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve a birthday card! This year, make your sister-in-law top priority and spoil her rotten on her special day. For some hints, here’s some gorgeous handmade cards we think she’ll like.

It does what it says on the tin, this card: lets your sister-in-law know that she’s the bees’ knees, in your mind.

How will you ask your sister-in-law to be your bridesmaid? We’ve found the answer – and it’s genius! Thanks Etsy – and the Invites by This and That shop we found this on.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Nan

From a huge vase of flowers to a humongous box of chocolates, there are plenty of ways to let your Nan know how much she means to you. Just don’t forget the handmade card while you’re at it!

If your Nanna’s due to hit the big 8-0, you really can’t go wrong by selecting this Happy Birthday card via an independent cards seller on Amazon.

This pink, made to order card can be personalised with your own message. For a Nan that loves a special thought, this is the perfect gesture.

Here at Decorque, we have a barkingly good idea for your Nan’s next birthday – this pink, polka dot card featuring a golden retriever. What do you think?

Handmade Birthday Cards for Daughter

We know how it is; it’s so difficult to find a nice card from the high street card shops. So don’t be dashing around last-minute this year. instead, check out some of these lovely greetings cards that are bound to raise a smile.

Lotus Art Studio offers a host of pretty cards, but this one is our favourite. With an ornate-looking bird cage on the front, this simple card features a host of dainty embellishments.

Fay’s Studio has come up trumps with this stylish, monochrome card featuring a lovely message to your daughter on the front.

Is your daughter truly special? Say it via a pretty card.

One of my own favourites on my Decorque Cards site, this butterfly and rose card has a lover of all things girlie very much in mind.

A large blue ribbon is the focal point to this Folksy creation, which can be personalised with your daughter’s name.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Him

While some men don’t even bother buying cards for their nearest and dearest, there’s no denying that they enjoy getting one of their own – and especially when it’s a nice-looking one like one of these…

A cool piece of art with a typewriter as the focus, we’ve come to your rescue yet again at Decorque Cards with this retro take on a greetings card.

Janie Wilson’s site is choc-full of cards – and when all else fails and you’re struggling to decide which card to get, go with one that features a picture of beer! Not to generalise, though…

Pink and Posh are going for a nautical theme with this 21st birthday card for him; does it get your vote?

Oooh, we do love a good laugh – and this card is fun, fun, fun! Take a look for yourself over on the Ohh Deer site.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Brother-in-Law

If you’re always forgetting your brother-in-law’s birthday, this year will be the one where it doesn’t slip your mind. And when you have stylish cards like these to choose from, you’ll have every reason to remember.

While it looks a little dated, blokes who love all things retro will like this beer card, as seen on eBay.

If you like your cards personalised, Claire will help you with her gorgeous range here on the Internet. Add in your own name and send it to your brother-in-law; he’s bound to like it.

Pink and Posh rarely disappoint, do they? This skiing card is the ideal choice for any brother-in-law who loves their winter sports.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Son

Does your son deserve a very special birthday? Then what he also needs is a special card to go with it. As if by magic….

You could buy yourself this one, cos…well…you know…it’s very complimentary. Thanks Etsy!

Haha, we love this card by Coulson Macleod. Lots of laughs for the birthday boy here.

What could be cooler than a VW Camper? a VW Camper with a big blue button as a spare wheel? So cool and not too expensive, either.

Handmade Birthday Cards for Friends

Where would you be without your friends? Share a chuckle or chortle with your bestie with this selection of greetings cards. Oh, and they’re all handmade too.

Paperchase has some gorgeously designed cards for her and him. We can’t stop looking at this intricate flower print one. Does it get your vote, too?

Wine is always the answer! So why not add it to your friend’s card, too? The only thing (almost) as good as wine? A poem about wine!

This card’s so cool we just had to mention it twice; it’s my Decorque red butterfly card, which features a bold print and is left blank for your own message.

Music often brings friends together, so why not ‘blow his or her trumpet’ with this music-inspired card. Available on the Coulson Macleod shop online, this is a true retro delight.

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About Me

I am Lesley Rudman Stevens, the founder of Decorque Cards. My passion for design, pattern and colour stems directly from my love of nature. My collections are a statement of the use of colour, retaining the intensity and freshness of flora and fauna.